CRAZY FRIDAY DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN....

to describe today. The main mission was to get our asses to Columbus, Ohio for thegrandsons dental appointment at OSU. He had some major work done there when he was four and with the "lousy" insurance coverage thedaughter has, this is the only place to have procedures performed.

All was going well, and I thought I remembered the exact route to the hospital/clinic, but I was mistaken. We became misdirected, as I never get lost, and took me awhile to get back on track - thus, we were twenty minutes late. Actually that was no problem to the staff, so all worked out well.

Thegrandson was basically to have a screening and then set up appointments for whatever was deemed necessary. After two hours, the dentist comes out and starts explaining the care we have to give, for the tooth that was pulled. That was a shocker. It appears that a back molar was abscessed which called for an immediate extraction. Thegrandson never once complained of any pain whatsoever - and we had no idea about that problem. So everything turned out well and we have to return on July 8th I believe.

So now we are on our way back home at 3:40pm. Leaving this facility is a breeze, take 315N to I70E and it's a straight shot home, except...every trip we have made, there has ALWAYS been a major accident on the east side of downtown on I70. This was no different. We were stalled in traffic for almost a half hour. I took my camera this morning, thinking I might find something to photograph - now we have an accident. Yes, I did get pictures, but I forgot I gave my son the card reader for this particular camera - and now cannot download them. Grrr. This was a serious three car accident, 6 ambulances, 2 firetrucks and 5 police cars. As we got close, thedaughter took a couple of pictures - but as soon as I saw the small children being tended to - the camera was turned off and I was heartbroken. I'm not one to photograph lurid or morbid pictures. That would be insensitive.

The entire two hour drive home (after stopping and getting my Big Boy sandwiches) was crazier than hell. All the lunatic drivers were out in full force and now I have the Queen of Road Rage driving, as the accident had me upset. I contemplated finding a drug dealer for something...anything!!

We arrived home at 7:15pm and to be honest, I am wiped out. It is now 9 pm and I'm getting a shower and crashing for the night. So I will check you all out tomorrow. It appears the internet has been repaired and I can access my faves again - Hooray.

Have a lovely and great Memorial Day Holiday all. Later.............

MY FRIEND, MY SISTER HAS GONE AWAY!

MOM2 (Jean) July 8, 1944 - October 17, 2007




I have lost my very best friend and sister and feel so lonely right now. We have known each other since our sons started school, yet became best friends when our sons went off to college. Our common bond was our love for our sons (daughters don't be offended please) and how we relished their accomplishments and shared their pain. As mothers, we could not have been any prouder.

We shopped together, went out to eat, and traveled to Boston to visit family and cruised the Caribbean. So many memories, so much fun, we have mourned the passing of family members and "been there" whenever needed. We even had "sibling" spats (unfortunately this last one lasting 3 months), but ALWAYS got back together as if nothing had happened at all.

My family has dwindled to just myself and kids, and we adopted and were adopted by Jeans large family. Her brother, nieces, nephews, cousins are like my own now. Until Jean's mother passed away a few years ago - she was the matriarch of the family - passing the honor to Jean. She was the glue holding the family together. We hope that we can carry on her love of family and pleasure with friends as well.

Jean's passing came 19 days after being diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. She had been mis-diagnosed (actually non diagnosed) by her local physician for almost 2 1/2 years. It was only after going to Ohio State University James Cancer Center that the terminal diagnosis was made. All the "I wish we had done this and that sooner" comments mean nothing now. But we all know that once we knew what she was facing, we could have done nothing more than stand by her and love her as always to help her as much as possible. We have no regrets, we were with her at all times till she passed - now we have to deal with such a huge void in our lives. At this moment I am finding this so very hard.

She was by my side when my husband died, she was by my side when my twin sister died - and now I don't have her by my side and I am so lost.

I have so many wonderful memories of our trips, our talks, all our experiences, but it doesn't seem like enough.

Helping rid my basement of water after flooding in '04.

Enjoying the sun in the Caribbean!

Jean and I at her sons Engagement dinner.

As we reached our "mid life crisis", she wanted a nose ring more than anything (a small stud) and truly enjoyed the compliments she received afterwards...then on to the ankle tattoo... which she had copied from a henna tattoo we had done 2 years earlier. She saved the henna copy all that time in her wallet, that was determination.

I can't even begin to list all the things I will miss most, because it is quite lengthy.

There are many past blogs which detail our relationship and too much to say at this point. This is cathartic for me...just wanted to share the beauty of my friend and sister with any who might drop by here.

"DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL...LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL!!" from a headstone in Ireland

I can't say anymore....Good bye Jean, my friend forever.

I am NOT slacking....promise!

I really don't have a lot to write about, but MOM2, my best friend has some serious health issues and she is 2 hours away, and not being able to be there is driving me nuts!!! I encouraged her husband (and her) to take her to Ohio State University hospital, as she was not being treated well locally - but the end result was not what we wanted to hear - yet she can be treated by much more qualified people there.

Having to be here for my grandson while his mother works has made my making regular visits quite difficult. Theson may be home Wednesday or Thursday, and hopefully we will be able to work someting out to get back up to Columbus. I spoke with Mom2 a few minutes ago and she is quite depressed (expected) and that puts me in a funk.

This is just an update and hope to get back to some regular postings at some point.

Everyone stay healthy and TTFN.